The new system allows passport control officers to process arrivals and departures right next to the passenger in just 12–15 seconds.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) has launched a new mobile service Click & Travel, designed to expedite entry and exit procedures at the emirate's airports.

According to the agency, this is the first service of its kind in the world. Its key feature is that passport control officers are no longer tethered to a stationary desk; they can now approach passengers directly and complete the necessary procedures using a mobile device.

Click & Travel is primarily intended for periods of high passenger volume and situations where the airport needs to manage traveler flow more flexibly.

How Click & Travel works

GDRFA staff use mobile devices that are directly integrated with the agency's digital systems and databases.

The technology allows them to do the following on the spot:

• retrieve the necessary passenger data;
• verify their identity;
• perform biometric identification;
• complete the entry or exit procedure.

The entire process takes approximately 12–15 seconds.

Thus, instead of the traditional model where a passenger must find and go through a specific desk, the service can be provided right where the person is currently located in the terminal.

Over 31,000 operations performed during the pilot project

Click & Travel has completed its pilot phase ahead of a full-scale rollout.

From the launch of the trial in May until August 31, 2026 the mobile system processed approximately 31,373 transactions.

GDRFA views this figure as confirmation of the new solution's ability to operate in real-world airport conditions and handle significant passenger volumes.

Who can use the new service

Click & Travel availability depends on your travel destination.

For departures from Dubai, the service is available to all passenger categories, including:

• UAE citizens;
• residents;
• international visitors.

For arrivals into Dubai, the system is currently available to UAE citizens and residents in the initial phase.

GDRFA plans to gradually expand access to more users in the future, in line with approved requirements and operational readiness.

A new model for passenger flow management

One of the key advantages of Click & Travel is the mobility of passport control staff.

During surges in passenger numbers, officers can be redeployed directly to the busiest areas of the terminal without the need to set up additional stationary service points.

This approach allows for a faster response to changing conditions at the airport, reduces potential bottlenecks, and maintains a more consistent flow of people through the terminals.

The service is expected to be particularly valuable during seasonal peaks, major international events, and other situations that place increased pressure on Dubai's aviation infrastructure.

Biometrics speeds up identity verification

Click & Travel is built on the integration of mobile hardware with the existing GDRFA Dubai digital infrastructure.

The system uses biometric technology to identify passengers and verify information within a secure digital environment.

This allows staff to perform procedures without a traditional workstation while maintaining access to essential government information systems.

This model aligns with Dubai's broader strategy to automate government services and reduce the need for in-person procedures for residents and visitors.

GDRFA shifts to proactive passenger service

Director General of GDRFA Dubai, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, noted that the new service reflects a shift from simply improving existing procedures to reimagining the entire passenger experience.

The core idea behind Click & Travel is to make government services more proactive: passengers no longer need to seek out service points, as staff can provide assistance exactly where it is needed.

According to department leadership, the more than 31,000 operations completed during the pilot phase confirm the system is ready for further development.

Greater flexibility for airport services

Assistant Director General of the Air Ports Sector at GDRFA Dubai, Major General Talal Ahmed Al Shanqiti, emphasized the service's importance for managing passenger flow.

The mobile model allows for faster staff redeployment based on real-time terminal traffic, helping to reduce wait times.

At the same time, a primary requirement remains the maintenance of security standards and passport control accuracy, regardless of where the procedure takes place.

Digital integration is the foundation of the project

According to Khalid bin Mediya Al Falasi, Assistant Director General of Smart Services at GDRFA Dubai, the key element of Click & Travel is not the mobile device itself, but the digital infrastructure that powers it.

Staff receive secure access to necessary data, allowing them to verify passenger information and perform required operations directly within the terminal.

The system was designed from the outset to allow for functional expansion without changing the core service model.

Plans to expand Click & Travel capabilities

GDRFA Dubai views the current service format as the first stage of a broader digital ecosystem.

In the future, additional services and procedures related to passenger travel may be made available through these mobile devices.

Their implementation will depend on operational requirements and security standards.

Thus, Click & Travel could gradually evolve from a passport control tool into a more versatile mobile platform for passenger services at Dubai airports.

Why the development of airport services is important for Dubai

Aviation infrastructure plays a key role in Dubai's economy, ensuring the emirate's international connectivity and supporting tourism, business, trade, and the influx of new residents.

Therefore, airport development is not just about increasing physical capacity. Service speed, digitalization, and the ability to effectively manage passenger flow are becoming increasingly important.

Solutions like Click & Travel make it possible to improve the quality of existing infrastructure without necessarily increasing the number of traditional service points.

For Dubai, this is particularly relevant against the backdrop of continued growth in international passenger traffic and the long-term development of the emirate's aviation system.

Digital infrastructure enhances the city's appeal

For residents, entrepreneurs, investors, and property buyers, the quality of government and transport services is one of the elements of the city's overall attractiveness.

Fast airport procedures, digital government services, and a well-developed international transport network reduce administrative and time costs for people who live or do business in Dubai.

At the same time, Click & Travel does not directly affect property prices. Its significance for the market is broader: the development of convenient urban and transport infrastructure shapes the quality of life and supports Dubai's competitiveness as an international hub for living, business, and investment.

The launch of the new service continues the GDRFA Dubai strategy of developing smart border crossings and transitioning to a more flexible service model, where digital technologies are used to simplify travel and increase airport operational efficiency.